NL West Notes: Dodgers, Greinke, Rosales, Gray, Samardzija

Dodgers lefty Hyun-jin Ryu is being given some extra rest after feeling discomfort in his surgically repaired left shoulder, writes MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick. Neither Ryu nor manager Dave Roberts would characterize the discomfort as a setback, with Ryu saying he didn’t feel significant pain, and Roberts adding that the discomfort is a normal part of the recovery process from this type of surgery. Nevertheless, the status of Ryu’s shoulder will be something the Dodgers monitor closely this spring in his first season back from surgery to repair a torn labrum. Ryu was recently said to be about two weeks behind the rest of the Dodgers’ starters (Twitter link via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times), and that was prior to today’s news.

More on the Dodgers and their division…

Gurnick tweets that lefty Brett Anderson is also dealing with an ailment, as his Friday start is uncertain after he tweaked his back throwing live batting practice yesterday. Anderson underwent some tests today to determine the nature of the potential injury, and as Gurnick notes, he does have a history of back troubles, having undergone surgery in 2014.

Sticking with the mildly macabre Dodgers injury theme, righty Josh Ravin will be out for eight to 12 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured left forearm that he injured earlier this week in a car crash, McCullough tweets. As was noted at the time of the injury, Ravin was perhaps an unlikely candidate to make the club out of Spring Training, but the injury of course removes any doubt.

Diamondbacks scouting director Deric Ladnier told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that ace Zack Greinke joined him and other D-backs scouts in south Florida earlier this winter to watch some amateur games as the club scouted in preparation for the June draft. “I’m not saying he’s going to help us make decisions because he’s not, but I do like listening to him because he brings a different perspective,” said Ladnier. “Shame on me if I don’t.” Greinke’s interest in scouting is nothing new, Piecoro writes. In fact, Ladnier, who was the Royals’ scouting director when Greinke was drafted, invited Greinke into the Royals’ draft meetings on a number of occasions. Piecoro notes that Greinke also attended some scouting meetings with the Brewers and Dodgers. “He follows it diligently,” said Ladnier.“It’s something he loves to do. I have no problem with him coming in and peeking his head in.” Greinke clearly has plenty of innings left in his arm, but I doubt he’d have difficulty finding a team interested in adding him as a special assignment scout following his playing days.

Infielder Adam Rosales, who is with the Padres on a minor league deal/non-roster invite to Spring Training this season, spoke to MLB.com’s Corey Brock about the transaction whirlwind in which he was involved back in 2014. In a span of 13 days, Rosales was designated for assignment three times and claimed off waivers three times — each by either the Rangers or Athletics. Rosales called the sequence “challenging,” but eventually found some levity in his plight. “You just have to see some humor in it … and take it in stride and appreciate the opportunities you have,” he explained. GM A.J. Preller, who was an assistant GM with the Rangers at the time of that ordeal, spoke highly of Rosales’ versatility and clubhouse presence, explaining some of the reasoning behind his signing of Rosales this winter.

Rockies prospect Jon Gray debuted his new curveball in his first spring outing today, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, and was pleased with the outcome. Gray says he was surprised by the number he threw (seven), thinking he’d throw three or four over his two-inning affair. Gray spoke to Saunders about his aim to develop two different curves — one to throw for strikes and one to bounce in front of the plate as an out pitch — as he seeks to deliver on the promise that made him the No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft.

Giants GM Bobby Evans talked with MLB.com’s Tracy Ringolsby about his pursuit of Jeff Samardzia this offseason. “The benefit of Posey, the benefit of Dave Righetti and [bullpen coach] Mark Gardner, the benefit of AT&T Park and the benefit of a support cast where he’s not expected to be the No. 1 or No. 2 guy, all those elements combined to allow us to make the investment,” said Evans of the five-year, $90MM deal he used to reel in Shark (terrible pun intended — my apologies). Samardzija admitted to Ringolsby that the barrage of rumors swirling around his name wore on him last summer, to some extent, though he didn’t blame any of his 2015 struggles on the stress associated with that talk. The Giants, Ringolsby writes, feel there’s still untapped potential in Samardzija’s powerful arm.

I just don’t see how some people can still be so high on the Dodgers. There is no sure bet in that rotation after Kershaw (although Kazmir may be a true 3-4 starter), Ryu and Anderson have injury issues and Maeda has never thrown a pitch in MLB. I just dont see how the highest spending team lets a top 5 pitcher in the game go to a division rival (and its not like the D-Backs grossly overpaid).

That lineup is too “Jekyl and Hyde” especially with Pederson and Grandal, and Gonzalez and Ethier are 34. Puig needs to rebound big-time, Seager needs to step up and Pederson needs some consistency IMO if that team wants to score.

That bullpen other than Jansen is sketchy too although Montas may provide value by mid-season.

TLDR: I could see this team winning another NL West title or missing the playoffs to be honest. But I’m taking the Giants for the West as of now. After all, its an even year.

Maeda hasn’t pitched in the big leagues yet, yes. But he did face-off against the MLB all-stars back in 2014 and was masterful in that game… with Japan winning 2-0 against MLB… you can watch the video here: link to youtube.com. I know he’ll do well this upcoming season.

At least he has experience facing them, and that’s all that matters. He really learned a lot in that tourney facing some very well known Major leaguers. There’s still room for improvement, and he will improve.

“There is no sure bet in that rotation after Kershaw (although Kazmir may be a true 3-4 starter)”

They have about 8 guys after Kershaw, Kazmir, Maeda, Anderson Wood. Ryu, who will be ready in May-ish, McCarthy in June, Urias, Montas, De Leon, Cotton in the high minors, Bolsinger and Beachy as depth with minor league options. They can also make a trade for a high-end starter with the amount of prospects they have.

They have weaknesses if you look hard enough, but they mostly have contingency plans for everything.

That’s the reason the Dodgers decided against the overpay on Greinke. Also, look at what the D-backs paid him. The Dodgers would have had to pay significantly more than that due to the California tax system that Arizona doesn’t have. If you don’t think Greinke was an overpay, add the 20% the Dodgers would have had to pay to better the D-backs offer and ask the question again.

The overall productivity of the rotation will depend on the health of Ryu, which Wood shows up this year, and if Maeda can maintain his pin point control and health throughout a 162 game season. At some point, DeLeon will make his debut. I think Urias will be brought up when rosters expand. Fans forget how good Ryu actually was especially in the playoffs. The pen isn’t so much of an issue as many have made it to be at this point. Garcia showed flashes last year. I think Hatches showing after injury is the truer version of who he is. I’d be more fearful of an injury to Jansen or Hatch. Montas, Cotton, and Sierra may have their opportunities sooner rather than later if Baez and Garcia can’t take that next step. The lineup when healthy will be solid. It won’t be flashy, but solid. The Dodgers though can ill afford to lose Turner and Gonzo for an extended period of time though. I’m glad Pederson failed in the second half. It was easy to see that him selling out for his power wasn’t going to lead to long term success and he had to address that this offseason. Grandal was one of the best catchers until he was injured. I’m higher on this team than most. This is not the same team that will be there come trade deadline. Granted Grienke was a loss you can’t really quantify but at this point I think every team has those questions. They can’t really be as injured as last year can they? That being said this is going to be a fun nl west to watch this year unless it isn’t.

First, it was the small ballpark, then it was the bad defense behind him, and now it is the trade rumors. I would have more faith in “the Shark’s” rebound if he actually admitted he sucked last year, instead of finding excuses. It might be why, despite his tools, he doesn’t live up to the hype.

I think Samardzija has a chance for a good year. Don Cooper is big on his guys throwing the cutter. Samardzija threw more cutters and sliders. He threw 15% less fastballs. If he gets back to his fastball and splitter, he should have a much better year.

Agreed. If there’s any place he can tap into any unrealized potential he has, it’s with the Giants. Great coaching staff who will get him back to working from his strengths, excellent defense behind him and one of the best receivers in the game to throw to, and a pitcher-friendly home field.

What has not been addressed… after Kershaw would you trust any of these starters to pitch a playoff game.=? How did that go last year? You need quality not just a bunch of middling starters with injury histories. In the playoffs you go against another team’s best. I don’t trust anyone after Kershaw and even Kershaw has a shaky playoff history. How did Kazmir do for the Astros during their playoff run? He tanked. These middling starters may be ok during the regular season but face a quality team, no way.